As part of the UN Commemoration of International Holocaust Memorial Day, a series of events and exhibitions took place at the UN in New York between January 15 to February 20, 2026, echoing the theme “Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights”. Judy Mintz reports for ICJW.
EXHIBITION: Between Life and Death: Stories of Rescue during the Holocaust
This moving exhibition is a series of 13 personal stories depicted with photographs of victims and their rescuers in Europe during WWII. It provided an understanding about what happened in local towns to individuals and families and included the different possibilities of survival and also betrayal. The actions of diplomats from 11 countries were also documented. The European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (ENRS), the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw and the Silent Heroes Memorial Center in Berlin were the curators.
EXHIBITION: Lest We Forget
This exhibition provided glimpses of moments of kindness and compassion, of life enjoyed, and of the connections of Jews to their communities. The photographs were evidence of the loss and destruction committed by the Nazis and the racist collaborators. It underscored the scale of destruction. It reminded the viewers of their shared humanity and the responsibility to defend everyone’s right to live with dignity and in peace. The Holocaust and the US Outreach Programme, United Nations Department of Global Communicates was the curator.
EXHIBITION: Holocaust Remembrance-a Commitment to Truth
Through testimony and photographs this exhibition documented the systematic persecution of not only Jews but also the suffering of Roma and Sinti targeted by racist hatred and supremist ideology. It illustrated the courage of victims to resist dehumanization and those who tried to help. It was curated by The Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme, United Nations Department of Global Communications.
Holocaust Remembrance Today-a Living Responsibility (YIVO Institute for Jewish Research)
A Panel Discussion took place in conjunction with the Exhibition Between Life and Death-Stories of Rescue. Holocaust survivor Elzbieta Ficowska and historians Jay Winer, Daniel Blatman and Mordecai Paldiel explored how Holocaust remembrance has evolved, how stories of rescuers and survivors can be shared with younger generations, and how challenges such as disinformation, artificial intelligence, and fading living memory can be addressed. The discussion was held at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research and moderated by Jayashri Wyatt, Chief, Education Outreach Section at United Nations Department of Global Communications.
